Story

The year is 1908. The 20th century is still young.
An unfamiliar 20th century - in an unfamiliar world.
This is a world that experienced a 19th century very different from our own. A world filled with innumerable steam-powered Engines.
The unnaturally rapid development of this steam civilization has left the world's skies shrouded in grey... and its seas dyed in shades of black.

"Sea" - Once, the word suggested an expanse of blue. Today, it refers to something dark and putrid.
The former harbor city of Marseille in the European Kingdom of France looks out on a sea as black as any other. But these particular waters are home to something that can't be found anywhere else on Earth...
A massive artificial island, solid and imposing as a fortress. A city in its own right, but also a school; a place bursting with life and color.
Its formal name: The Marseille Offshore Academia.

The Academia - a city founded on cutting-edge engine science; an academy designed to produce the greatest Erudite Scholars in the world.
It stands above a sea fouled by the flourishing of modern civilization.
It sits below a sky polluted by the emissions of countless Engines.
And nonetheless, it shines like a jewel, filled with the radiance of students glorying in their youth.
This is a place so overflowing with energy as to recall the long-lost sun.
A place that glitters with a beauty reminiscent of the long-lost stars.

However, the Academia is also a city with a secret. Beneath its facade hides a darkness feared even by the French monarchy.
Specifically... the school lies under the control of the "English West India Company," a secret society that rules Europe's underworld with an iron first.
Not even the agencies of the great European powers could expose the Academia's true nature; powerless to interfere, heads of mighty states can only watch warily for some sign that might reveal the Society's intentions.

The Academia - a gorgeous island closed off completely to the outside world.
A school that no student is permitted to leave, except as successful "graduates."
A society of the young and for the young, self-sufficient and proudly independent.
A city-state under the absolute rule of the "Governing Council," an elite body composed of the "Fraternity" and "Sorority"... and a subordinate branch of the English West India Company.
A radiant distortion in the fabric of the world, continually producing both brilliant young talent and fearsome supernatural Arts.
A carefully-cultivated, absolutely impenetrable garden of secrets.

However, in the spring of 1908... A single young man appears within its walls.
After declaring his intent to wage war against the Governing Council, he introduces himself in this way:
"Nikola Tesla. 72 years old. I'm a transfer student."
"Students of the Marseille Offshore Academia. My hundred thousand young friends, cursed by fate."
"...I will save every last one of you with my own two hands."

And at the summit of Château d'If, a bell rings out.
The Bell of Gahkthun, announcing that the time of rejoicing is at hand...

The Speculative Detective Club

Nikola Tesla

A protagonist and the hero of this story. The first transfer student in the history of the Academia and the president of the Speculative Detective Club (an organization he founded himself). By all appearances, he's a clean-cut young man in early adulthood. Tesla himself, however, claims to be 72 years of age.

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Nikola Tesla

Voiced by: Furukawa Tetsuto

"I bought you for 30 silver coins. In other words, you're mine. Body and soul."

A protagonist and the hero of this story. The first transfer student in the history of the Academia and the president of the Speculative Detective Club (an organization he founded himself). By all appearances, he's a clean-cut young man in early adulthood. Tesla himself, however, claims to be 72 years of age.

His past is full of mystery. Some say he spent years working in a prominent research institution in the USA; others claim that he's a globe-trotting revolutionary with a long history of insurrectionary activities. There are even those who believe him to be a mortal enemy of Lord Edison, a founding father of the United States. Tesla himself refuses to dignify any of these rumors with a response.

On his very first day as a transfer student, he declared the Academia's Governing Council to be his enemy, established the Speculative Detective Club, and stated his intention to lead the entire school down a nobler and more righteous path.

Always overflowing with confidence. Composed and cool-headed.
As one might expect of a self-styled 72-year-old, he's oblivious to social rules that would be common sense for most students, and struggles to understand the sensibilities of the young people around him.
Despite his flowery talk of ideals, he's not the most compassionate or considerate individual. His assistant Neon suffers lamentable treatment in his employ.
However... when someone asks for his help, even a bitter enemy who's attempted to do him harm, he will absolutely never forsake them.

Equipment

When using his lightning powers, Tesla is automatically equipped with a powerful mechanized belt and gloves.
In addition, a long, flowing scarf appears around his neck, crackling with electricity.

Abilities

Lightning King - Supernatural Power. Capable of freely manipulating electricity in all of its forms. Electric Field Blades - Supernatural Power. Five luminous bodies in the form of swords fly as he directs them. Super Electromagnetic Form - Supernatural Power. ???

Voice Samples

“You're my assistant, and the only other member of the Speculative Detective Club. It's only natural for me to compensate you accordingly.”

"I'm a bit reluctant to admit this to a policeman, but I happen to be an agent of justice. I may be an enemy of the world, but I'm also a warrior for righteousness."

"Go on and play with them. As I said, it's what youth is all about..."

"Don't be so cross with me. I wasn't trying to upset you."

"Even if the world itself curses me... I will don my armor and crush you to dust."

Neon Scalar Smilja

A protagonist and the heroine of this story.
The only member of the Detective Club; Tesla's assistant. A girl who's been known to fire off a fierce glare every now and then.
First-year student in the Academia's Engine Physics Department; no living relatives. Her hair is dyed a bright shade of pink. Originally, it was brown, just like that of her deceased elder brother.

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Neon Scalar Smilja

Voiced by: Isshiki Hikaru

"If I'm an assistant, then start treating me like one. Please. If you'd be so kind!"

A protagonist and the heroine of this story.
The only member of the Detective Club; Tesla's assistant. A girl who's been known to fire off a fierce glare every now and then.
First-year student in the Academia's Engine Physics Department; no living relatives. Her hair is dyed a bright shade of pink. Originally, it was brown, just like that of her deceased elder brother.

She was living a harsh life of exploitation as a "second-class student" until Nikola Tesla bought her for the price of 30 silver coins.
That's all well and good, but her new position as an assistant with the Speculative Detective Club involves a great deal of hard work for a master who's quite difficult to please.
Naturally, Neon isn't entirely satisfied with the situation. But since everything was arranged through official school procedures, she couldn't just walk out the door even if she wanted to.

By nature, she's a strong-willed and tenacious young lady with a rebellious, inquisitive spirit.
Unfortunately, she's also a pathologically helpful sort who can't bring herself to turn down a request...
And so, despite her dissatisfaction, she finds herself increasingly caught up in looking after Tesla and satisfying his unreasonable demands.

In December several years back, both of her eyes spontaneously changed their color to a striking gold. They now bear an odd resemblance to the eyes of a cat.
If angry or displeased, she reflexively narrows her eyes to slits, no matter who she's dealing with.
When she's in a really, truly bad mood, her glare can melt glaciers. Better watch your step, wise guy.

Spirited - The girl has guts. She doesn't give up easily.Singlemindedness - Once she's set her mind on something, she makes it happen.Smile - Her radiant smile wins hearts left and right.

Voice Samples

“Come on, please don't get so far ahead. Honestly, why do long-legged people never spare a thought for the rest of us...?”

"I'm going to make a note of that. Don't let it happen again, please."

"If you distract me and the food comes out poorly, I'm going to make you eat it all yourself, Master."

"You're going to be out late? Didn't you just say you'd be back soon...?"

"That's how it was yesterday, too. Is going quiet your way of saying "yes"?"

The Governing Council

Walther Ritz

"Speed... Do you understand its true significance, transfer student?"

Berta Mori Wiegert

"Have you no shame? If this were the Far East, you'd be cutting your belly open right about now."

Émilie du Châtelet

"Human beings need to be ruled. It's all that enables us to live as honest men and women, rather than as beasts."

Josephine March

"I want to show it to my little sister, y'know? Pretty please?"

Wilhelm Reich

Florence Ameghino Nightingale

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Walther Ritz

Voiced by: Masuoka Yuuji

"Speed... Do you understand its true significance, transfer student?"

One of the six members of the Governing Council.
Specifically, he belongs to the "Fraternity," the male wing of the Council. A third-year student at the Academia.
Hails from Switzerland. His left eye changed to a striking golden color several years ago.

A quiet and intellectual young man.
Presents himself as a calm and composed gentleman, but in truth, he's a obsessive speed freak who possesses an entire fleet of Scholar-class Engine Gurneys (automobiles) imported from the New World.
Every weekend finds him racing his vehicles along the private roadway at the Academia's outer edge, a pursuit that inevitably ends in a violent crash - although he always returns home without so much as a scratch.

Bases his enormous ego on the belief that he's living his entire life in high gear. Wears a customized pair of boots containing a mechanized roller-blade system; he refers to them as the "Silver Shoes."

"When summoned, all members are to come here at once. That swiftness is part of what attracted me to the Council in the first place, you know."

"Next time, things will go very differently. I won't let the intelligence we gained from your battles go to waste."

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Berta Mori Wiegert

Voiced by: Sugihara Matsuri

"Have you no shame? If this were the Far East, you'd be cutting your belly open right about now."

One of the six members of the Governing Council.
Specifically, he belongs to the "Fraternity," the male wing of the Council. A second-year student at the Academia.
By all appearances, a level-headed young man. His temperament is calm; his tone of voice always dispassionate.
Hails from the German Empire. His right eye changed to a striking golden color several years ago, but his left remains a deep black.

Extremely knowledgeable about the Orient, particularly the Far East (Japan). It's said that he adheres to the Bushido code and considers himself a samurai.

Equipment

Exclusive Governing Council Engine Card, Japanese Sword (Always at his side), Handkerchief (A memento of his mother).

Abilities

Calm Disposition - Strict mental discipline. He maintains his composure and rationality at all times.Transforming Blade - The Japanese katana at his side has been remodelled to enable rapid conversion into a two-handed nagamaki.Demonic Conscription - Supernatural Art. Capable of controlling up to 100,000 mindless humanoid automatons simultaneously.Megamaton - His trump card?

Voice Samples

“Have you no shame? If this were the Far East, you'd be cutting your belly open right about now.”

"I'm a member of the Council's Fraternity wing. Welcome to my Seaside Residence."

"It's a weapon given to the foremost swordsman in the Academia. So that they might stand against Art-bearers."

"I have to defeat you. I must, and I will! By any means necessary!"

"Weren't expecting that, were you? I can hear the shock in your voice. It's very pleasing to the ear."

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Émilie du Châtelet

Voiced by: Kawashima Rino

"Human beings need to be ruled. It's all that enables us to live as honest men and women, rather than as beasts."

One of the six members of the Governing Council.
Specifically, she belongs to the "Sorority," the female wing of the Council. A third-year student at the Academia.
Current head of the house of Châtelet, a noble French family. Her right eye changed to a striking golden color several years ago.
A refined young woman who's nonetheless exceptionally high-handed; sincerely regards the general student population as her servants. Possesses a private corps of female bodyguards.

Her name is the same as that of her great-grandmother, a famous Erudite Scholar. She takes great pride in this, and anyone who dares disparage her ancestor is met with an eruption of righteous fury.
A persistent rumor suggests she's personally acquainted with a certain male student engaging in anti-Council activities, but Émilie herself calls this a "preposterous fiction."

Aristocratic Spirit - Never allows herself to forget her duty as a member of the nobility.Artemis 1 - Expertly wields an enormous bow she designed herself. Its height matches her own.Artemis 2 - ???Artemis 3 - ????Infallible Calculation - Supernatural Art. Capable of performing incredibly complex calculations instantaneously. She can visualize the precise trajectory of her shots before firing, rendering her near-invincible in long-distance combat.

Voice Samples

“My calculations are infallible. My decisions are prudent and accurate. Kindly refrain from further impertinent remarks.”

"Why have you stayed at that man's side? It's a fact that the two of you are the sole members of this "Speculative Detective Club" of his."

"I want to be parted from you and your mother. From the shadow of you that still lingers inside me."

"No, my lady. I had a secretary confirm the envelope's delivery, and call her registered phone number to request her attendance."

"Quite all right. It wasn't necessary. Our Governing Council oversees all information related to the students of this school, after all."

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Josephine March (Jo)

Voiced by: Notsuki Mahiru

"I want to show it to my little sister, y'know? Pretty please?"

One of the six members of the Governing Council.
Specifically, she belongs to the "Sorority," the female wing of the Council. A second-year student at the Academia.
A friendly, frank girl who says what she means and means what she says. Oddly enough, she's quite taken with Transcendentalist thinking.
Hails from the United States of America. Her right eye changed to a striking golden color several years ago.

Her sister Amy, younger by two years, is enrolled in the Academia as a first-year student.
Jo often talks about how close they are... but in truth, the relationship she describes fell apart more than a year ago.

Cheerfulness - Her frank, easygoing personality earns her plenty of friends.Healthy Body - Naturally tall and agile, she makes a habit of keeping herself in excellent shape.Anatomical Manipulation - Supernatural Art. Capable of unilateral control over the bodies of other human beings. But for some reason, she only uses it to strengthen herself.

Voice Samples

“Yeah, let's keep things peaceful, okay? I mean, the guy's a student, just like everyone else.”

"The Council... pardon. You Fraternity fellows want to help that Bell in the sky grow nice and big, right?"

"How 'bout we meet up at 2 PM by the fountain in the Roaring Surf Street Central Plaza? If we're doing this, we might as well set the mood."

"There's a reason I'm doing this. A reason I'm doing it with you."

"Reich tells me this axe was made for monster-slaying. It's real good at killing anything that isn't human."

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Wilhelm Reich

Voiced by: Yamamoto Kanehira

"Our eyes must remain fixed on our goal. The Bell of Gahkthun will only ring if offered a truly sacred gift."

One of the six members of the Governing Council.
Specifically, he is the presiding member of the "Fraternity," the male wing of the Council.
A fifth-year student in the Engine Physics Department, regarded as the true ruler of the Governing Council. His left eye changed to a striking golden color several years ago.
Joined the Governing Council as part of his search for the golden power of "Orgone." He believes this cosmic force to be a manifestation of bliss itself.

He is one of very few - even among the Council - who knows the Academia's real nature. Possesses a direct relationship with the "Society" that is the true power behind the city.
In the spirit of chivalry, he accepts Florence's generous proposals regarding Nikola Tesla without a second thought.
In his own words: A man who so boldly challenges the Council deserves a certain amount of special treatment, if not an entirely even playing field...

Equipment

Exclusive Governing Council Engine Card, Saber (Always at his side), Japanese Sword, Knife.

AbilitiesSword Oath - Possesses an iron will forged through extensive mental training. Prioritizes efficiency on a grand scale.Pain Paralysis - Possesses a nervous system strengthened through extensive training. He essentially feels no pain.Blade of the Knight - Supernatural Art. When holding anything that resembles a sword, he gains access to numerous superhuman physical abilities.Voice Samples

“Rule by force is the essence of all authority. It always has been. It always will be.”

"All right, then. Since Berta seems to have withdrawn his objection for the moment, let us once again return to the matter at hand."

"And that is your innocence. The root of all your hesitation and immaturity."

"The bell can grant you an even greater Art."

"I have researched you quite extensively. The nature of your existence is clear to me."

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Florence Ameghino Nightingale

Voiced by: Oukawa Mio

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Nikola Tesla. Welcome to the Academia."

One of the six members of the Governing Council.
Specifically, she is the presiding member of the "Sorority," the female wing of the Council.
A fourth-year student in the Theology Department and president of the European Religion Research Society. She's believed to hold the rank of Erudite Scholar in the field of Natural History.
Her right eye changed to a striking golden color several years ago.

Popularly known as the "Divine Lady," she's widely considered the Academia's foremost woman of letters.
A beauty who always appears perfectly composed; even Nikola Tesla's sudden arrival and open declaration of hostility fail to perturb her in the slightest. In fact, she advocates for approval of his extraordinary transfer, and for official recognition of the Speculative Detective Club.
For some reason, she's quite taken with Neon, and frequently comes to see her.
She actually seems to take pleasure in the way the girl flatly rejects her own invitations.

AbilitiesNaturally Gifted 1 - A prodigy who already possesses the rank of Erudite Scholar in the field of Natural History.Naturally Gifted 2 - A genius constantly working her way toward the hidden truths of the world through individual effort.Other-Caller - Supernatural Art. Capable of producing a diverse range of phenomena by calling forth various legendary beings.Voice Samples

“Neon. My dear, sweet child. Is he treating you kindly?”

"I suggest we offer something tailored to the sensibilities of a stalwart young man. A concrete reward, rather than symbolic words of thanks."

"We're told it has been the long-standing goal of the Governing Council to guide the Bell to maturity and add its power to our own."

"This time, I must protect her. But I cannot do so alone..."

"But I pray for your fortune in battle. At the very least, may the consummation of your wish save the lives of many."